For those who got a little confused (as I did), you DO INDEED need to remove the battery cover with a little screwdriver in order to reach the battery. The procedure is as follows: press the small button on the key portion of the fob to slide out the key; use a small screwdriver to remove the batter cover (I tried to attach a photo, but it wouldn’t let me; it’s right where the key comes out); replace the battery (a CR2032, 3 volt battery); and then replace the key. Done.
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Video Instructions for Replacing the 12V Battery in a BMW i3
We demonstrate how to swap out the 12V battery in your BMW i3 in this video. One of the first indications that your BMW i3 needs to be changed is a notice that reads “Battery discharging when stopped” in the instrument cluster. Of course, you can always visit your neighborhood BMW shop to get the battery changed, but some of us prefer to do it ourselves. As always, this is merely a reference and in no way implies that you should change your personal 12V battery. You must carry out a number of safety tests, such as removing the High Voltage Safety Connector. Please get professional assistance if you don’t feel comfortable doing this.
Our own Chuck created a thorough video walking us through the full process if you’re still interested in performing the work yourself. We used the around $140 Remy 12V Battery AUX18L and the iCar Pro OBD2 Diagnostic Interface. Additionally, you would require the Bimmerlink App for iPhone/Android from the App store.
Replacement of the BMW i3’s 12V battery: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Purchase a fresh 12V battery and charge it trickle until it is fully charged.
- Front Trunk, open
- Take off the covers over the driver’s and passenger’s sides of the front trunk.
- Remove the High Voltage Safety Connector from the Main Battery (Service Disconnect)
- Use a safety pin to block the disconnect and avoid unintentional reactivation.
What kind of battery is required for a BMW key fob?
A CR2032 battery is necessary for BMW key fob battery replacement for drivers who have BMW Comfort Access. To replace the battery in your BMW key fob, follow these steps: Press in the little tab on the side of your key fob and take out the metal valet key.
Do you need to reconfigure your BMW key fob after changing the battery?
BMW Key Fob Battery Replacement Programming a New BMW Key from Scratch Programming a new BMW key is typically quick and painless. When the key fob first gets to your home near Decatur or Pekin, you’ll still need to program it.
How can my BMW key fob be reset?
- Insert the key into the ignition.
- Turn it so that it is on.
- Then switch it off.
- Remove the key next.
- Finally, while maintaining pressure on your key fob’s unlock button, push the BMW logo button three times. After that, release the unlock button.
What kind of battery is used by a BMW i3?
Between the back wheels is where the electric motor is positioned. The range-extending gasoline engine is intended to fit in the empty space to the right of the motor.
The i3 has a freshly created powertrain that drives the rear axle with a 130 kilowatt (170 horsepower) electric motor that is powered by lithium-ion batteries. The maximum speed is 150 km/h (93 mph). A tiny gasoline engine positioned at the rear of the vehicle can be added as a range-extender option to add power when the traction battery is running low.
Can a new battery be purchased for a BMW i3?
Replacement high voltage batteries for the BMW i3 hybrid typically cost between $13,083 and $13,238. The projected labor cost is between $594 and $749, while the estimated cost of the parts is $12,489. Taxes and levies are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or special location taken into account.
What occurs if the battery in your BMW key dies?
You won’t be able to use keyless entry or remote unlocking if your BMW has Comfort Access if the battery in your key fob has died. You can still enter and manually start your automobile, though.
Press and hold the key release button at the remote fob’s base while unlocking the door of your car, then slide out the internal key blade. This can be used in place of a standard key to unlock your car. You can locate a little hole on the bottom of the handle if the keyhole is hidden on your car door. Use the key blade to pry off the trim panel and expose the keyhole by inserting it into the hole.
Once you’re inside, put your remote key fob in the ignition slot or, if your car doesn’t have one, press it up against the steering column’s key markings. If your key fob dies, you will still be able to start your BMW using the start/stop button on the dashboard.
How much does a BMW i3 battery replacement cost?
- On eBay, a battery pack for a BMW i3 that had a capacity of 22 kWh at one point but is now only about 17.14 kWh is going for $2,500. This works out to about $145 per kWh. A
- According to a 2016 BMW study, a new i3 battery would cost roughly $16,000. This was for the 22 kWh packs used in the 2013–2016 model years, which came out to $727 per kWh in actual 2016 currency. A
- According to a 2015 InsideEV study, a 21.6 kWh battery pack would cost $13,725 or $635 per kWh. These costs were computed using data from an internet parts retailer. A
How big is a BMW i3’s battery?
The BMW i3’s battery has a 33.2 kWh overall capacity. The available energy is 27.2 kWh. On a fully charged battery, a range of approximately 100 miles is possible. The actual driving range will be determined by a number of variables, such as the environment, the topography, the use of climate control, and driving habits.
For instance, maintaining high speeds in chilly conditions might result in a range of about 70 miles. But if you travel slowly in good weather, you can go up to about 155 miles.
The Type 2 connector is used for charging, and the on-board charger can produce a maximum power of 11 kW. This takes about 3 hours to fully recharge a completely discharged battery. To do this, though, a 3-phase grid connection is required. Currently, this link is absent from the vast majority of houses and charging stations. The average maximum charging power is 7.4 kW, which results in a charge time of 4 hours 30 minutes and a charge rate of 23 mph. It will take about 14 hours to fully charge the automobile using a standard wall plug.
A CCS connector enables rapid charging. 49 kW is the maximum quick charging power. At this power, the battery cannot be charged continuously. The average charge power during a rapid charging session will be close to 46 kW. This takes about 30 minutes to fully charge the battery from 10% to 80%. This kind of quick charging will increase the range by around 70 miles.
Can I change the battery in my BMW myself?
Do you not adore your BMW? And you intend to continue using it for as long as possible, right? Change your oil, replace your air filters, and do other routine maintenance on your BMW as needed to ensure its longevity. Maintaining the battery in your BMW, however, is the one item that contributes the most to flawless operation of your vehicle.
However, a lot of individuals ponder whether BMW battery replacement and registration are straightforward do-it-yourself tasks or require the services of a qualified specialist. We affirm that you can manage the replacement on your own. However, if you lack computer literacy, let us handle the registration process on your behalf.
Here, we’ll go over how to install a battery in a car, examine BMW battery registration in further detail, and provide additional information on the BMW battery reset process.
If I change the battery, do I need to reprogram my key fob?
After changing the battery, you typically do not need to reconfigure the key fob. However, you might need to reprogramme it by re-pairing it with your vehicle if you’ve replaced not only the batteries but also some of the internal cabling and electronics.
How about keyless entry on the BMW i3?
Under the car’s settings, choose “Comfort Entry” under the “Doors/Key” section. Now, the remote access will automatically unlock the car doors when you are 1.5 meters away from it, saving you from having to pull the key out of your pocket.
How much does a 2014 BMW i3 battery replacement cost?
A new battery for a BMW i3 typically costs between $290 and $316. The projected cost of labor is between $99 and $125, while the cost of the parts is $191.
Can I swap out my i3’s battery?
The BMW i3 was and is still a fairly distinctive vehicle. It stands out wherever it goes thanks to its monocoque carbon-fiber structure, unique design, and unusual wheels. All of those things were done, though, in order to make the i3 the ideal city car. And most owners believe it to be. How well the work was done from the beginning is evidenced by the fact that the automobile is almost 8 years old and is still selling rather well.
The fact is, purchasing a BMW i3 today results in a few significant variations from the original. The current i3 can store more energy since its battery pack has a larger capacity. Since it must fit in the same space designated under the floor, the battery’s size hasn’t changed between the initial and most recent updates.
As a result, many people have been wondering whether it’s possible to quadruple your range by merely switching out your battery pack rather than purchasing a new one. According to the video below, the answer appears to be yes, but you cannot do it yourself in your garage. The Czech town of Havrla has produced a brief video that explains what has to be done for this to function. And it’s surely not a simple task.
If you plan to get a battery from an i3 with a salvage title, you’ll have to deal with cooling ducts, you’ll need a scanner and a way to replace the battery management system, you’ll need to figure out how to unlock the battery (which is likely to be locked by BMW), and you might also need to do some coding. That’s undoubtedly challenging, but if you’re determined enough, you might succeed in the end. Of course, there is also the possibility that the car’s warranty will be nullified.
How long will a BMW i3’s battery last?
Battery life for 2021 BMW i3s ranges from three to five years, although it might vary depending on factors including driving style, weather, battery type, and more. Keep your car indoors, away from sharp changes in temperature or climate, to extend the life of your i3 battery.
Can I use a Tesla charging station to refuel my BMW i3?
With a pilot project in the Netherlands, Tesla, one of the most prestigious automakers in the world, opened its charging network to other electric vehicles. The business declared that non-Tesla vehicle owners would be able to access superchargers at ten different locations throughout the Netherlands via the Tesla app. This indicates that you can use a Tesla charging station to charge your non-Tesla EV. There are a few things you should keep in mind, though.
Tesla’s high-speed superchargers can only be utilized by Tesla vehicles, despite there being charging stations for non-Tesla drivers. Therefore, it is not possible to utilize a Supercharger with a BMW electric vehicle because to the lack of suitable adapters. The truth is that Tesla has thought about allowing other electric vehicles access to its Supercharger network. However, nothing has been officially confirmed by the company, so these are still just rumors.
Tesla’s automobiles need various connectors because European charging standards are different from American ones. Due to the fact that not all Tesla vehicles sold in Europe utilize Tesla’s specialized connector, the charging process is very different from that of other markets, like as North America.
Tesla uses the CCS standard in Europe so that a variety of vehicles can charge at locations without an adapter with a similar plug. Tesla claims that non-Tesla drivers using its charging stations could result in the business spending more money to support a variety of vehicles and make site modifications to accommodate these vehicles. This, it claims, advances Tesla’s objective of accelerating the global switch to sustainable energy.
As rival automakers seek to launch new electric vehicles, Tesla has more than 25,000 Superchargers installed across the world while they have formed alliances or invested in network firms. The Combined Charging System (CCS), which is utilized by BMW, Daimler, Ford, and the Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi and Porsche, allows for the usage of the Superchargers.